South African media personality Anele Mdoda has stirred discussions about safety concerns related to ride-hailing services after sharing her terrifying experience of being threatened by her Uber driver. During her ride home from Cape Town, Mdoda was reportedly threatened with sexual assault, prompting her to take drastic measures to protect herself.
Mdoda took to X (formerly Twitter) to recount the disturbing incident, which she described as both harrowing and anxiety-inducing. She revealed her decision to select the 'don’t talk to me' option when requesting the ride, which reportedly upset the driver. He allegedly responded with, “in my country, we would rape you to teach you a lesson.” To prevent escalation, Mdoda cleverly pretended to be live streaming on Instagram, hoping it would dissuade the driver from following through with his threats.
"My Uber driver tonight was upset... He then said, 'in my country, we would rape you to teach you a lesson,'" Mdoda stated, highlighting her disbelief and fear during the ride. She recorded the interaction, feeling it was necessary to have a record of the events should anything happen. The incident reportedly occurred on February 24, 2025, and has raised significant alarm among her followers and the public.
Upon reaching her hotel, the situation escalated as the driver allegedly became aggressive when he noticed she was recording him. Ndoda mentioned, "Then when he got to my hotel, he started shouting at me, and I really recorded, and there was a couple who could see I was under duress. I apologize for my language. I was in danger.” Her fears have sparked widespread discussions about women's safety when using e-hailing services.
Following her tweets, several South African users shared similar stories of their negative experiences with ride-hailing drivers. Some expressed solidarity with Mdoda, recounting their own incidents where they felt unsafe, and others expressed skepticism about her account. One user mentioned, “Went through the exact same thing in Joburg 2 years ago; when I reported the incident, they blocked my account instead of helping me.”
Uber responded swiftly to the allegations, recognizing the gravity of the accusations. An official statement from Uber’s spokesperson declared, "What has been described is completely unacceptable and we have zero tolerance for this behaviour. We are immediately and urgently looking..." This response underlines their commitment to provide safe transportation services and suggests potential consequences for the driver should the allegations be substantiated.
Your safety is our priority,” the Uber spokesperson continued, explaining the importance of investigation processes surrounding such allegations. They have assured users of their commitment to enhancing safety protocols and features within their app, including audio recording, RideCheck, and direct emergency contact features.
Mdoda expressed gratitude for the support she received online, acknowledging both friends and critics. "Uber has reached out and is taking it seriously. I won’t comment...Police are involved as well," she tweeted, indicating her intention to press charges against the driver.
The alleged threats Mdoda experienced reflect broader issues concerning women’s safety within the ride-hailing industry, as many women have reported feeling vulnerable during rides. Statistics from recent crime reports showed significant rates of gender-based violence, reinforcing the notion of safety as an urgent topic within South African discourse.
Overall, this incident has once again triggered conversations about rider safety, driver accountability, and the urgent need for improved measures to protect vulnerable passengers. Anele Mdoda’s brave recounting of her encounter serves as a wake-up call for both ride-hailing companies and riders alike, stressing the importance of safety and vigilance.